(The Center Square) – California Governor Gavin Newsom and Florida Governor Ron DeSantis will debate in Georgia on November 30 on Fox News. The “red vs. blue state debate,” as the event is publicized by Fox, will be moderated by commentator Sean Hannity.
Newsom and DeSantis had agreed to a November debate earlier in August after escalating exchanges in media and statements. While the topics and format of the 90 minute debate are still not finalized, the event offers both governors the opportunity to defend their records and visions for America to a broad national audience. Both governors easily secured re-election and offer polar-opposite visions for American governance.
Newsom has stated he would not be running for president in 2024, but when asked on 60 Minutes just days ago whether he would run for president, he for the first time didn’t answer no, saying, “I’m never going to overpromise that in the short run. I mean, we are struggling in this state. Housing, and homelessness.” When pressed again, he said, “That was a — that was a never-ending response to your question.”
In the spring, Newsom went on a tour of conservative states with funding left over from his gubernatorial race to build stronger ties with Democrats across the country.
Though DeSantis still enjoys the support of the majority of Floridians in his job as governor, his support in the national primary against former president Donald Trump is falling. DeSantis held steady support in the low 30% range at the start of the year, but has now fallen to an average of 13.5% support among Republican primary voters, according to an average maintained by RealClearPolitics, compared to Trump’s 57.3%.
